Mowing-machine



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W. A. KIRBY. MOWING MAGHINE..

No.` 245,637. Patented Aug. 16,188.1.

(No Model.)

v 4 Sheets-Sheet 2.

W, A. KIRBY.

MOWING MACHINE.

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4 Sheets-Sheet 3.

W. A. KIR'BY.

MOWING MACHINE.

No. 245,637. l Patented Aug. 16,1881.

In Veni/or (No Model.) s 4 Sheets- Sheet 4.

W. A. KIRBY.

MOWING MACHINE. No. 245,637. Patented Aug. 16,1881.

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NITED STATES PATENT OEE-ICE.

WILLIAM A. KIRBY, OF AUBURN, NEW YORK.

MOWING-MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 245,637, dated August 16, 1881.

Application tiled April 19, 1881.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM A. KIRBY, of Auburn, in the county of Cayuga and State of New York, have invented certain Improvements in Mowing-Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates hat well-known type of two-wheeled front-cnt mach'iies commonly known as Kirby mowers, wherein the cutter-frame and the devices employed in immediate connection therewith are connected with the main axle of the machine by a main frame arranged to swing upon the axle, and jointed at its forward end to the cutter-frame, and in which a seat is usedin connection with the frame in such manner that the weight of the rider serves to counterbalance the weight of the cutter-frame.

The presentimprovements consist, mainly, in the peculiar construction and arrangement of the parts for turning the nger-bar up endwise, in adjustable connecting devices between the cutter-frame and its regulating-lever; in a loose connection between the cutter-frame and the lever, by which the fin ger-bar is rolled or tipped to vary the height of the lingers; in the combination of a spring with the counterbalancing-seat; in the peculiar manner of applying said spring; and in other details, which will be hereinafter fully explained.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents a side elevation of my machine, the wheel on the outer or cutting side of the machine being removed and the main shoe being shown in'cross-section. Fig. 2 is a vertical central section through one of the drivin g-wheels and its axle, illustrating the manner in which the wheelis constructed and attached. the manner in which the spring is connected to the seat-standard and the supporting devices. Fig. et is a top-plan viewot' the machine. Fig. 5 is a cross-section on the line w x, Fig. 4, looking forward, the finger-bar being shown in a partially raised position. Fig. 6 is a similar view with the finger-bar in its operative position. Fig. 7 is a top-plan view of the cutterframe Fig. 8, a view of the forward end of the same.

A A represent the two main wheels of the machine, mounted upon and sustaining oppo- Fig. 3 is a detail view, illustrating (No model.)

site ends of the main axle B, and provided with internal geared rims, from which motion is transmitted to the drivin g-gear of the machine.

U represents the main or connecting frame of the machine, having its arms fastened rigidly at the rear end to the main axle, and jointed at its forward end to the rear end of the cutter-frame D, to which latter the finger-bar E is attached.

F represents the draft-pole or tongue of the machine, pivoted to the cutter-frame and connected with a hand-lever, H, by means of which the relative positions of the finger-bar, the tongue, and the main frame are regulated.

In their general construction and mode of operation the above parts resemble those of the ordinary and well-know Kirby machines, v

the main frame C forming a jointed connection by which the front or cutter frame is carried, while at the same time it permits the cutterframe to rise and fall, in order to follow the surface ofthe ground.

The main wheels A are made ot' cast-iron, and have their hubs formed each with a radial ange, a, around its inner end. The hubs are slipped loosely upon and cover the end of the axle, and each hub is held in place upon the axle by means of a plate, b, bolted or otherwise secured to the main frame, and arranged to engage ovcr the flange of the hub in the manner clearly represented in Fig. 2. By thus constructing the parts l am enabled to use a shorter axle than usual, to have the outer end of the hub closed, in order to exclude dirt and sand from the wearing-surfaces, and to secure the wheel upon the axle at much less cost than by the ordinary construction.

The plate b should be so constructed as to cover and close the upper side of the hub, in order to serve as a guard to prevent the entrance of sand and dust at theinner end ot' the hub.

Referring, now, to the construction of the frame, it will be seen that the front or cutter frame, D, is jointed to the rear or main frame, C, by or on a line with the transverse shaft L, the ends of which are provided with pinions gearing into the main wheels A, motion being transmitted from the shaft through intermediate gearing to the cutter bar or knife in the ordinary or any other suitable manner. The

frame D has its main portion cast in one piece, with a sleeve, d, :fitted upon the shaft L, and with a forwardlycxtendin g arm, e, adapted to sustain the main crank-shaft M, from which the cutter is driven.

N represents the inner or main shoe, to which the heel of the finger-bar is secured. This shoe is carried by horizontal pivots 0, in order that the bar may swing upward at its out-er end, as usual, the pivots o being sustained by castings secured to the ends ot' two flat bars, 7J and q, extending laterally from and secured rmly to the frame D. The bars 12 and q are formed by cutting them of proper length from iiat bariron and punching holes in their ends to receive fastening-bolts. The bars are seated at one end firmly in seats or sockets formed on the frame D, and are secured thereto by fastening-bolts, while at the opposite ends they are inserted and secured in like manner in sockets on the castings which support pivots 0. These shoe-supporting bars 1J and q are braced and held in position by means of a longitudinal bar, f, extending forward from the sleeve d of frame D to the casting which carries the forward shoe-pivot, the ends of this bar being seated and bolted firmly in sockets.

As shown in the drawings, the barj' is connected firmly to the bars p and q at the points where they cross by means of castings 'm and h. The barf, thus applied, serves as a brace to hold the bars p and qand the main shoe iirmly in position.

lt will of course be understood that the bars p, q, andfare secured rigidly to the front frame, 1), and l'orm a part thereof.

The draft-pole or tongue F is bolted firmly to a casting, K, of the form shown in the drawings, this casting being connected by a pivotbolt, l, to the casting It on the front of frame D, and extending thence backward beyond the tongue, where it is connected by a link, 0, to a hand-lever, H, this lever being pivoted at s to an upright notched segment, t, secured rigidly upon the bar f of frame D, or otherwise rigidly secured to said frame.

By means of the hand-lever the position of the tongue and the cutter-supporting frame D may be varied in such manner as to effect the raising or lowering-ot` said frame and the main shoe in substantially the same manner as in the ordinary Kirby machine.

The link O is adjustably connected to the tongue-plate K in the manner represented in Fig. 1, the link being provided with a number of holes at different heights, to receive a connecting pin or pivot, w, so that by changing the pin from one hole to another the height of a link may be varied for the purpose of cans ing the main shoe to be carried at any height required. The link O has its upper end slotted, and connected tothe lever H by a pin or journal passing through said slot. Under this construction the descent ot' the link and cutter-frame is limited by the upper end of the slot encountering the connecting-pin; but at the same time the shoe and cutter-frame are permitted to rise freely whenever an obstruction or elevation is encountered. This vertically-adjustable slotted link, by which the height of the cut is regulated, forms an important feature ot' my present invention. Vhile itis preferred to adhere to the forni ot' link shown in the drawings, it is obvious that it may be changed in form and in its manner of attachment, provided the mode ot' action is not departed from.

For the purpose of preventing lateral play ofthe tongue, and of giving greater rigidity, the tongue-plate K is provided with a lip, y, arranged to engage over and slide upon a rib or flange on the castingm of frame D, as clearly represented in Figs. l and 4.

The hand-lever H is provided, as usual,with a locking device, c, engaging with the notched plate t, to fasten the lever firmly iu position.

For the purpose of regulating the height ot' the rear end of frame D and the main shoe, in order to tip the finger-bar upward or downward at the front, a handlever,]?,is mounted upon the rear frame, C, as shown in Figs. 1 and 4, and connected byaslotted link, Q, with thc rear end of frame D, at a point in rear of that at which the frames G and D are jointed together. Lever P is mounted upon a notched plate or segment, b', and provided with a locking device to engage therewith and hold the lever in position. By throwing the lever P backward the rear end of the frame D may be raised to any desired elevation and suspended at that point, the slotted link, however, permitting the frame to rise freely in passing over obstructions.

The adjustable slotted connection between the frames C and D, as above described, forms another important fea-ture of my present invention.

For the purpose of carrying on or assisting to carry the main shoe N, I make use of a caster-wheel, T, located at the t'rontof the machine, at the forward end of a bar, U, in substantially the same manner as in certain machines hitherto patented to me. The wheel T has its frame or carrying-post swiveled to the forward end of the bar U, or a casting thereon, in advance of' the main shoe, the bar U being extended thence backward, and connected by a pivot-bolt, c, to the casting at the heel of the runner. The bar U is connected by a key or pin to the casting h at the forward end of the main shoe, the casting heilig provided, as shown in Fig. 1, with a series of holes for the pin, to admit ot' the shoe being adjusted vertically with reference to the bar and casterwheel.

For the purpose of turning the finger-bar E upward at its outer end, either to pass obstruc tions or to throw it out of action, I provide a lever, V, pivoted to the casting m at the heel of the shoe, and arranged to bear at one end upon a shoulder, d', on the main shoe N, as shown in Figs. l, 4, 5, and 6, and connected at IOO its opposite end bya link, W,to the handlever H, thelink being connected to the lever ordinarily by the same pivot which connects the lever to the lifting-link O, heretofore described.

Under the above arrangement of parts a backward movement of the lever H causes the link O to elevate the front frame and shoe, and at the same time causes the link W to operate the lever V, the latter, in turn, acting upon the shoe N, in the manner represented in Fig. 5, causing the same to swing upward with the finger-bar.

X represents the driver-s seat, mounted upon the rear end of an arm or standard, Y, the standard being supported upon the axle, and connected at its forward end with the front frame, D, so that the weight of the driver serves to counterbalance to an extent the weight of the front frame, as in the ordinary Kirby machine.

Hitherto it has been the practice to sustain the lever upon a rigid support on the axle or the rear frame, and to establish a direct and solid connection between the seat and the front frame, the effect of which was to cause a severe and disagreeable jolting or straining of the machine when operated on rough ground. To overcome this difficulty I now interpose between the seat and its support a spring, this spring serving as a yielding connection between the parts, and tending to prevent the violent shocks and strains which are commonly transmitted from the front frame to the seat, thus causing the machine to travel more easily and with less wear than heretofore.

It is preferred to apply the spring in the manner shown in the drawings; but it may be varied in form and attachment, provided it re tains substantially the Inode of action above described.

As shown in the drawings, the seat support or standard Y is connected atits forward end to the frame D by means of a link, e', and sustained near its middle by the semi-elliptical or C-shaped spring Z, the spring being connected at its upper end by a pivot to a plate on the under side of thc support Y, and being connected at the lower end by a pivot, ff, to ears g', formed on the frame C. The frame G is provided with a series ot' holes for the pivotpin, to admit ofthe saine being adjusted forward and backward; and the plate of the slipport Y is in like manner provided with a series of holes, to admit ofthe spring-connecting devices being adjusted forward and backward thereunder.

It will be seen that the seat-support sustained upon the spring Z, in the manner above described, carries the rider with an easy yielding motion, and that in the event ofthe front frame encountering sudden or violent resistance the spring will yield and gradually overcome the shock. Theforwardandbackwardadjustment of the spring permits the machine to be adapted for riders of different weights.

I do not claim, broadly, a mower-seat sustained upon a spring; but I believe myself to be the first to apply aspring to sustain a seatsupport which is arranged in the peculiar connection or combination herein shown.

I am aware that drivers seats arranged to partially counterbalance the weight of the main frame have been employed in mowers; and, also, that a seat-supporting lever connected with the main frame and the front of the machine has been sustained by means of a spring.

M y invention is restricted to a seat arranged inthe combination herein shown, and sustained by a spring, substantially as represented.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim isl. In combination with the axle, the frame C and frame D, the pivoted tongue F, and the lever H, the latter united to the tongue by means ot' a slotted or yielding connection, substantially as described.

2. In combination with the tongue F and frame D, arranged to operate as described, the lever H, and the link 0, having a slotted connection with the lever, and having its lower end adjustably connected with the tongue.

3. In combination with the mower, frame D, and pivoted tongue F, arranged and operating as described, the hand-leverI-I, and link O, provided in its Lipper end with a slot, and in its lower end with a series of holes, substantially as and for the purpose described.

4. In a mower ot' the type herein described, the combination ofthe frame C, frame D, and adjusting-lever P, the latter connected with frame D by a connection free to yield in an upward direction.

5. The combination of the frames C and D, lever P, with devices for locking the same, and slotted link Q.

6. In combination with the frame D and tongue F, the hand-lever H, having a slotted connection with the tongue and a positive connection with the lever by which the finger-bar is tipped or swung upward.

7. The combinationof the wheeled main axle, the main frame journaled thereon, a cutterframe journaled to the front of the main frame, and the seat-sustaining lever Y, sustained by aspring-supporton the mainframe and jointed at its forward end to the cutter-frame, substantially as shown.

8. In combination with the main axle and the frames C and D, the seatsupporting bar Y, and a sustainin g-sprin g, Z, located beneath bar Y, and sustained upon frame C or upon the axle.

9. In combination with the front frame D, and seat-support Y connectedtherewith, the spring Z, adjnstably connected to the support Y and to the frame C.

WILLIAM A. KIRBY.

Witnesses:

WILLIAM A. BAKER, CLEMENS B. KosTERs.

IIC 

